McKiernan back in winners' enclosure with Boss Phillip Enright judged things to perfection on front-runner Minella Boss in the opening William Hill Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon. Phillip Enright Guides Minella Boss to Gowran Success Oliver McKiernan’s charge took them along in the two-miler and had a healthy advantage at the halfway point. The 5/1 shot came back to his main market rivals before the straight but Enright had kept a bit up his sleeve. 5/6 favourite Manoir De Mirande found little from the second last but Bulgaden Castle soon pressed the leader. Minella Boss pulled out more in the closing stages as he held his challenge by a half-length. "That is a while coming and it is 12 months to the day since my last winner,” said McKiernan. “Our previous winner was in the Leinster National at Naas and there has been a cloud over the yard since. It hasn't gone away yet but we think we have a couple of them right now and thought this fella was right. "This horse was fairly right during the whole (sickness) period and it is 15 years since I had sickness in my yard. You almost forget about it, but this season has brought it back. "This is a strong type, he is robust enough. I'm delighted as I thought it would never happen again!" (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
